Zeona, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zeona
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Former settlement
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 Zeona
Location in South Dakota
Zeona
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Perkins County |
| Established | 1910 |
| Founded by | H. E. Rowson |
| Elevation | 2,694 ft (821 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1259104 |
Zeona was once a small town in Perkins County, in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Today, it is known as an 'extinct town' or a 'ghost town' because most people have moved away, and many of its buildings are no longer used. It is located in the United States, in the state of South Dakota.
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History of Zeona
How Zeona Started
Zeona was founded in 1910. It was built near Spring Creek and the Moreau River. People tell different stories about how the town got its name. One story says that H.E. Rowson, one of the people who started the town, meant to name it 'Leona' after his daughter. But his handwriting made it look like 'Zeona'! Another story says the early settlers just wanted a name that sounded "unusual and different."
Why Zeona Became a Ghost Town
It is a bit tricky to know exactly how many people lived in Zeona over the years. The town was mostly settled by "homesteaders." These were people who moved to new land to build farms and homes. They often moved again if things got tough.
Just one year after Zeona was founded, a big drought hit the area. A drought is a long period with very little rain. This made many early settlers leave. In 1911, when Zeona got its first post office, about 225 people lived there. By 1935, that number had dropped to 79. By 1940, only about 6 people were left.
Community Life in Zeona
Many of the people who settled in Zeona were from Norway. They started holding church services as early as 1913. In 1923, the Immanuel Lutheran Church was built. This church became an important place for the Norwegian Lutherans and other people in the village to gather.
The town's post office was closed in 1929. This meant Zeona's mail was sent to a nearby town called Strool. However, the post office reopened in 1936.
Historic Buildings
Several buildings in Zeona are considered very important historically. In 1987, they were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect special places in the United States. The buildings included:
- the Immanuel Lutheran Church
- the Donald Beckon Ranch
- the Spring Creek School
Zeona Today
Like many small towns in South Dakota, Zeona's population kept getting smaller in the late 1900s. This happened for a few reasons:
- Farming methods changed, meaning fewer people were needed to work the land.
- It became easier to travel to bigger towns for shopping and services.
- Families generally became smaller.
Zeona's post office and its ZIP code (57795) were officially closed in 1998. Mail services were then moved to Mud Butte. As of 2019, the Immanuel Lutheran Church was still being used by the community.
